08 February 2013
DFID Programme and Policy Manager, Paul Beckitt, was in Libya when the Prime Minister David Cameron paid an unannounced visit recently. Paul manages DFID's programmes on policing, public financial management and private sector development in Libya.
In 2011, the Arab Spring rocketed the Middle East and North Africa region into the daily headlines. People rising up to protest against decades of autocratic rule, corruption and high levels of unemployment inspired admiration and sympathy across the globe. Regimes fell. The people of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen started building their states anew, and the monarchies of Morocco and Jordan pushed forward with reform agendas. The UK responded with a new approach, creating an expanded Arab Partnership to support home-grown reforms in the region that aim to deliver on citizen demands for transparent government, freedom of expression and economic opportunities for all.
Prime Minister David Cameron talking to young Libyan activist in Martyrs Square. Picture: The Prime Minister's Office
"Last week, Prime Minister David Cameron paid an unannounced visit to Libya. It is almost two years on from the revolution. He came to discuss the security situation and witness first-hand what the UK is doing to help Libyans rebuild their country after the fall of Qaddafi. His visit was conducted against the backdrop of the recent attack on the Algerian oil installation in In Amenas – which is close to Libya's western border – and the French-led intervention in Mali, across the Sahel to the south-west.
"As you can imagine, these were a busy couple of weeks but they could not have more perfectly illustrated the strategic importance of Libya. The country will be central to building security, stability and prosperity in North Africa in the wake of the Arab spring.
"Security is the main concern for both the people and the government. As the Prime Minister said, 'There is no real freedom, no real democracy, no real chance of prosperity without proper security.' During his visit, Cameron saw new recruits being put through their paces at a police training centre. The training is part of DFID’s work with the Libyan government to increase the state’s ability to provide public security and justice.
"In 2012, DFID supported police advisers embedded within the Ministry of Interior who provided advice and mentoring. We also funded police commander training here in July which gave police commanders an understanding of how to maintain public order in challenging contexts without infringing on human rights.
"Despite its oil wealth, Libya has similar demographic and unemployment challenges to the rest of the region (48% of the population under 24 years old; youth unemployment at 35%). Many of these unemployed young men roam the nation's streets with guns, so taking them off the streets and into productive work will be essential for lasting peace.
"DFID is funding job creation and skills development schemes across the country to encourage entrepreneurship particularly among the youth and women, as well as assistance to the government to promote reforms that will lead to faster economic growth. These programmes are funded through the Arab Partnership Economic Facility, which is part of the joint FCO-DFID Arab Partnership, helping to build politically and economically open societies in the Middle East and North Africa region.
"Under the previous regime, Libyans didn't see all the benefits of their country's natural oil wealth due to corruption. The faster that funds can flow transparently from Libya's oil ministry to the spending departments, the quicker the country can become self-sustaining and drive economic development across the region. It will also help reduce corruption, which was a driver of the 2011 revolution.
"In 2013, advisers will arrive in Libya from the World Bank and IMF to help reform Libya's public financial management systems. We are also helping the public, the media and parliament to hold the government to account for the way it spends oil revenues through support to Revenue Watch Institute.
"There are of course big challenges, particularly relating to security, but re-building a state after four decades of dictatorship will take time. Already there are positive signs. Oil production is near pre-war levels. Free media and civil society organisations are flourishing. In July 2012 Libya held its first elections in 40 years, allowing Libyans to cast their ballots in internationally-lauded free and fair – and peaceful – elections. There is a sense of pride among most Libyans committed to building upon these achievements. DFID, as part of a wider UK Government effort, is committed to helping Libyans realise the goals of their revolution and bring about long-term change."